Hawkwatch & Picnic on Blueberry Hill

There were approximately 20 observers today from the Allen and Hoffmann Bird Clubs. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for all the help with spotting and identifying birds today in a surprisingly challenging sky.

The weather was variably cloudy, with cloud-cover decreasing until noon (50%>20%), then increased in the afternoon to 95% with a sprinkling of rain during the last hour. Haze prevailed throughout the watch (Mt Monadnock invisible). Wind was SW 2-7 mph until the last hour, when it became ESE barely 2 mph. Temperature ranged from 60-76 F.

It was a meager flight — no surprise with this wind. Harriers were the standouts with 6, one of which was a gray ghost. Other migrants included Sharp-shinned Hawk (5), Cooper’s Hawk (1), Broad-winged Hawk (3), American Kestrel (2) and Merlin (2).

Not counted as migrants: Black Vulture, 5 Turkey Vultures, adult Bald Eagle, 2 Red-shouldered Hawks, 2 Broad-wing Hawks (adult and immature), and a Red-tailed Hawk.

Non-raptor species identified included nine warblers: Black-and-white (2), Tennessee, American Redstart (2), Cape May (2 bright males, 1 first-fall female), Northern Parula (2), Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue (m), Palm, Black-throated Green. Other species spotted were Common Nighthawks (3), Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (2), Double-crested Cormorant, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, American Crows (3), Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wrens (2), Cedar Waxwings (15), Purple Finch, American Goldfinches (2), Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow. Monarch butterflies: 37.